The List: The 25 Best U.S. Cities For Kids To Play Outside

Fatherly’s 25 Best U.S. Cities For Kids To Play Outside takes a close look at the state of play and play spaces in America today. The report includes a data-driven ranking taking into account everything from parks access to the rate of violent crime, plus insights from some of the leading thinkers on play science and playgrounds. Read the full report here.

Boston, MAPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 3.1 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 98% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 355 Walkability Score: 80 Number of Fair Weather Days: 238

Pittsburgh, PAPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.2 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 84% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 293 Walkability Score: 60 Number of Fair Weather Days: 213

Minneapolis, MNPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2.8 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 95% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 274 Walkability Score: 65 Number of Fair Weather Days: 250

Lincoln, NEPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.7 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 86% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 329 Walkability Score: 40 Number of Fair Weather Days: 283

Cincinnati, OHPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 5.1 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 71% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 285 Walkability Score: 50 Number of Fair Weather Days: 228

Denver, COPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 3.8 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 86% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 329 Walkability Score: 56 Number of Fair Weather Days: 276

New York, NYPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 97% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 390 Walkability Score: 88 Number of Fair Weather Days: 244

Oakland, CAPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.8 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 85% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 229 Walkability Score: 69 Number of Fair Weather Days: 302

Washington, DCPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.8 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 97% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 331 Walkability Score: 74 Number of Fair Weather Days: 252

Seattle, WAPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2.3 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 93% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 324 Walkability Score: 71 Number of Fair Weather Days: 210

San Francisco, CAPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.6 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 99% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 559 Walkability Score: 84 Number of Fair Weather Days: 302

Omaha, NEPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.3 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 78% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 387 Walkability Score: 41 Number of Fair Weather Days: 266

Detroit, MIPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.5 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 78% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 570 Walkability Score: 52 Number of Fair Weather Days: 230

Portland, ORPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2.1 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 85% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 251 Walkability Score: 63 Number of Fair Weather Days: 212

Sacramento, CAPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 3.9 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 78% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 416 Walkability Score: 43 Number of Fair Weather Days: 307

Baltimore, MDPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 3.2 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 85% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 633 Walkability Score: 66 Number of Fair Weather Days: 250

Honolulu, HIPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.3 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 84% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 239 Walkability Score: 63 Number of Fair Weather Days: 269

Corpus Cristi, TXPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.5 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 72% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 524 Walkability Score: 36 Number of Fair Weather Days: 310

Chicago, ILPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2.4 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 92% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 900 Walkability Score: 75 Number of Fair Weather Days: 240

Milwaukee, WIPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2.6 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 88% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 587 Walkability Score: 59 Number of Fair Weather Days: 240

Philadelphia, PAPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.6 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 93% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 938 Walkability Score: 77 Number of Fair Weather Days: 248

Virginia Beach, VAPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.1 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 58% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 304 Walkability Score: 31 Number of Fair Weather Days: 263

San Diego, CAPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.9 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 77% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 349 Walkability Score: 49 Number of Fair Weather Days: 324

Greensboro, NCPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 3.7 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 60% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 345 Walkability Score: 28 Number of Fair Weather Days: 321

Miami, FLPlaygrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.4 Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 78% Violent Crimes / 100,000: 538.9 Walkability Score: 76 Number of Fair Weather Days: 234